//------------------------------// // When the World Turned Upside Down Pt. 1 // Story: A New Fairy Tale // by Marina Stars //------------------------------// In a world brimming with magic, one never knows what to expect. You could spend a whole lifetime preparing for one single moment and still be caught off guard and surprised by the outcome.  In a fairytale such as this our heroes may surely never know the true path that lies ahead of them… they can only hope for the best and choose whether or not to be dissatisfied with the outcome of life.  Welcome, dear readers, to a whole different type of fairy tail. A new Fairy Tale.  One that begins this terribly stormy night... Thunder cracked through the air, violently interrupting what should have been a beautiful night. Faster than the storm clouds appeared, ponies abandoned the streets for shelter within homes and open shops. The sun had only recently set, but the night life was already suppressed by the unplanned storm. Deep within the shadows of the city crept a long serpentine-like creature, paw and claw glinting dangerously if ever the light caught them. His destination? The castle. The Crown Jewel of Canterlot. A grand palace of marble which glimmered and shone, even in the dark night. It’s  purple and gold spires were as radiant in the night as in the day. It had been a long time since he’d stepped lizard leg or cloven hoof within these walls. But his return was a long time coming. ‘This is going to be fun…’ The monumental structure exuded regality, commanding respect from all who passed by. It was a fortress at one time, one he’d readily and easily infiltrate. Tonight was the night he’d waited a millennium for. “Alright, alright, ponies! Come on!”  Inside one of the grandest ballrooms within the palace walls ponies bustled about, royals and servants alike, led by the second born daughter of the Queen Celestia. Princess Twilight, a master planner, organiser, and leader. The lavender alicorn stood tall, a mile-long scroll held within her magenta aura of magic. Decisively she assigned tasks, analysing each movement and adjusting when necessary. “We have little time left,” She called, “Only moments before we send for the birthday filly,” A general wave of excitement washed over the ponies of the room who dedicated themselves further to their tasks. Things were coming together now and Twilight could say with confidence: this night would be one to remember. Now, Queen Celestia of Canterlot had been blessed with seven daughters of various gifts, talents, and personalities. The eldest sister, and Twilight’s closest friend, had been a unicorn of fiery tones. Gifted with magic and inspired by the greatest legends, tales, and myths, Sunset Shimmer was the perfect magical pupil. She studied and worked with a precision Twilight aspired to.  Next had come Twilight, the only natural-born alicorn of the family, a trait that had marked her as heir to the throne. She too loved the magical arts, often studying alongside Sunset. Her mother had always said she wielded great power and while tapping into that magic and developing it came easily, the execution of spells had nowhere near the grace Sunset had mastered from her childhood. Nevertheless they were the closest of friends. Always had been. After Twilight came Rainbow Dash, a wild speedster of a mare with a strong yet endearing nature. That mare was the toughest of ‘em. Brave, loyal, and true. That’s how anyone who knew her well would describe her. That didn't mean she was without fault, for the mare thought fast and acted faster. She was brash, yes, but at least she could be counted on to make a decision, right? The shining gem of a sister, Rarity, was the next and final magic wielder of the family. The mare was gifted with an elegance about her. A natural charmer with an eye for beauty. She was, and always would be, a lady through and through. The mare could make a tumble through the mud look refined and even desirable. She presented herself well, but was not vain, for once she was confident in her dress, she turned her attention outwards to others thinking no more of herself. Truly, she had a heart of gold.  The first earth pony born to Celestia had been quite a surprise. Having been an alicorn married to a unicorn, she’d assumed her children would have a horn, wings, or both as was Twilight’s case. But that's what Pinkamina Dianne Pie was best at: Surprises. She was young, full of buoyant energy and a joy for every last moment of life which she breathed in and exhaled with a stream of confetti and streamers. That mare sure was something else.  And if one earth pony wasn't a surprise enough, try two in a row, for not long after Pinkamina came Applejaqueline: the only mare who blatantly challenged Dash’s toughness. Despite the gap between them, the two bonded fast, even if that bonding was more akin to constant competition. AJ, as her sisters often referred to her, had always been a hard worker, taking no shortcuts despite the royal life given to her. That trait would certainly get her far in any future she wished to pursue. AJ was sweeter than pie but tough as nails and had no trouble deciding when to be which. Of all the sisters she was the most thoughtful, the filly really knew how to slow down life and savor a moment. A skill Twilight may have envied, for life would always be in constant motion so long as she was heir to the throne. She couldn't help but feel as if the world-life really-was passing her by.  But she was here now with the servants of the palace and four of her sisters to celebrate the youngest of them. Princess Fluttershy.  The filly may have been everypony’s favorite-even if none of them admitted it openly. She pertained a natural beauty that rivaled Rarity’s, thoughtfulness and understanding much like Applejaqueline’s, and a bit of mischief that had surprised them all, even the mischief makers that were Rainbow Dash and Pinkamina. Her affinity for nature led her to spend much of her time in the castle gardens where Twilight could have sworn the little pegasus filly possessed magical abilities, as often she’d find her speaking with the animals or convincing the flowers themselves to bloom. She was at home with nature, so much so that total confinement within the marbled walls of the palace would be unthinkable for her. And tonight? Tonight they would celebrate her birthday. Eight years since the filly had entered their lives. Of course they were celebrating! Even with seven daughters Celestia and Sombra, their father, made certain each had their special day. Truly, Twilight couldn't have had more loving and goodly parents. “Okie dokie!” Pinkamina bounced over to Twilight, “The last of the streamers have been hung, and food is at the ready on the tables! I think it’s about time Spike went to fetch Sunset and the birthday filly!” Twilight paused, glancing up from her scroll, and gave a nod to her trusty assistant Spike. A purple and green dragon she’d hatched from an egg many years ago. A brother to all of them. He understood the moment she’d looked at him exactly what she wanted. “Already on it Twilight!” He saluted and scurried out the door. Twilight watched the last minute preparations interrupted only by the occasional clap of thunder. “Rainbow Dash?” The cyan pegasus was there in an instant with a salute and her usual swagger, “Yes ma’am Twilight ma’am?” The alicorn saluted back, resisting the laugh that bubbled up in her knowing Dash was more playful than serious around her, “At ease. What’s the weather situation? We were supposed to have clear skies tonight. Did the weather ponies forget?” “Uh… no” She said, landing on the floor in front of Twilight, becoming more serious as she spoke, “It’s another unexpected storm, one not caused by pony hooves.”  “Again?” Twilight raised a brow, “I know that the weathers' been out of control lately, but that’s the third time this month. Is there anything we can do?” “‘Fraid not. Weather ponies have tried to take care of it, but the clouds are thick and moving on their own accord. Best we can do is wait it out.” Twilight sighed, making a note on her scroll, “I’ll have to get sompony to look into that, thank you Dash.” “No problemo,” She saluted again and took off. Twilight couldn't help but smile after her. The mare had grown more and more interested in the inner workings of the royal guard, often training with them. The captain had been hesitant at first as she was a princess, but Celestia saw no issue in her daughter learning how to defend herself in a fight. Over the months she’d become more and more familiar with the routines, procedures, and protocols of the guards. It would surprise absolutely no pony if a position in the guard was the future she wanted to pursue.  They were the nobles, afterall. They made the rules on what a princess could and couldn't do.  Satisfied with her work Twilight rolled up the scroll but stopped momentarily by a sharp buzzing sensation in her horn.  She assumed it was the rainstorm, with its mysterious appearance, throwing off her magic that night. For the most part it was a dull yet constant sensation, but every now and then it would spike, causing her magic to seize up. And then it would subside again allowing her to go about her work. It would be gone by morning. At least, that’s what she hoped. The doors to the ballroom opened with the aid of two of the royal guards standing at attention. In walked Celestia, dressed for the occasion like the rest of her daughters in an outfit Rarity had created with the help of the palace seamstresses.  The queen’s expression however did not match the festive atmosphere. Something was wrong. It was painfully obvious in her eyes, her posture. She moved stiffly searching until she found Twilight. “Mother is something the matter?” Discord slithered and slid past window after window, searching. Encouraged by the powerful thunder and flashing lightning unlike anything created by pony hooves, he moved. This storm was of his own making and anypony who knew him well, or knew what to look for, would have noticed it in the way the lightning occasionally struck with different colors. This would be the first and only warning he gave to Celestia. A warning that he had his full power back and came ready to use it. A twisted sort of giddiness filled him as he found the window he was searching for. Within the warmly lit and well decorated ballroom Celestia moved anxiously, ushering servants out and to safety.  So she knew he was coming? Good. Around her were reminders of the birthday celebration taking place for the youngest filly. Oh, and how delightful! He would be there to be sure it was one to remember… or not!  “I would wish you well, little princess,” He whispered, raising his eagle-like talons, “But I doubt you’d appreciate the sentiment after what I’m about to do,” With an audible snap of his talons a pulse of chaotic energy washed over the room leaving reality altered and dizzyingly morphed. Celestia paused, taking it in with a growl before stepping into a defensive stance. Magic at the ready, waiting for his grand entrance. Well, only one thing left to do then. And with a snap he was gone.